How to Help Transition Students Prepare
for Their Job Application
In today’s world, many young people are stressed about finding and keeping their dream jobs. And the process is even more challenging for people with special needs.
As a Special Education teacher, it’s important to help your students transition into employment after school. But, how will you do it effectively?
It helps to divide the process into smaller, easier steps. This means teaching your students skills like figuring out what jobs they want, filling out applications, and getting their documents ready.
So in this blog post, I’m going to share useful tips and resources to make this process easier and more effective, so you can help your students feel confident and ready to find work in the job market!
10 Ways to Help Your Students Be Job-Ready
For your students to be prepared for their job application, they must have skills that will help them get hired. This prepares them for work and makes them more independent and confident. It helps them know what to expect at work and how to show their best side to employers.
As their transition teacher, you have many opportunities to teach work-related skills and attitudes. Here are some ways to do it!
#1: Teach Your Students About Work
Your special education students preparing for work after high school need an introduction to what working is and why we work. It’s the first step in learning about careers, jobs, and vocational exploration.
Talk about different jobs and workplaces, and explain what each job involves and what is expected. This can help your students understand work better and prepare them for learning more.
Here’s a full lesson called Intro to Working! It includes a lesson video, questions, vocabulary, and activities for your students to learn about work.
#2: Identify Students' Interests
Before your students start looking for a job, it helps if they know their career goals first and what career path they’re interested in taking. This way, they can focus on jobs that they will grow to love and do well in.
It also helps to let your students identify their interests, strengths, and difficulties to help them find their career path. For example, if you’re an artistic student who doesn’t like sitting all day, you’d want to consider getting a job in the art industry and avoid office work, right? Remember that your students’ skills and interests are big factors when choosing their careers.
Help your students find out what types of jobs interest them and what careers they might like! You can do this by providing hands-on opportunities, such as role-playing, workplace tours, and career days where your students can explore different jobs and what they’re like. Using activities like Would You Rather games that give choices about employment preferences, students can discover what they enjoy and what jobs might suit them.
#3: Provide Early Work Experiences
Students with special needs are much more likely to get jobs as adults if they already have work experience when they were in high school.
How can you give your students real-world experiences while still in school? Well, you can simply include community internships or student-run businesses in your curriculum!
These meaningful vocational experiences allow your students to learn on-the-job skills firsthand, and they can add these to their list of experiences when they start applying for jobs.
#4: Help Your Students Look for Job Opportunities
Looking for a job can be challenging, but you can assist by guiding your students on where to look and how to build their network. There are many places in the community where you can find meaningful vocational opportunities for your transition students, like community colleges, local businesses, and even inside your campus! If you’re unsure where to start, check out this blog post on how to find meaningful job opportunities in your community.
Another way to help your students is to use this Student Business Flyer resource. It can help your students advertise themselves to potential employers, letting everyone know they are ready to be hired!
#5: Teach Students How to Fill Out Job Application Forms
Teach your Special Ed students how to complete job application forms correctly. This will make them more independent and sure about themselves, increasing their employment chances.
Start by teaching the terms that are commonly used in job application forms such as “education history,” “background,” and “available hours.” This may seem trivial, but it actually helps a lot in making your students understand what they should write in applications.
Next, use resources like this Mock Job Application Forms to guide your students through each section of an application and help them practice.
#6: Practice How to Write E-mails Professionally
Another soft skill to teach your students is how to write e-mails professionally. This skill is very useful when applying for jobs.
A well-written e-mail can make a good first impression on potential employers, increasing their chances of getting job offers. A lesson about e-mail writing will help your students communicate clearly and effectively, especially in a world where texting is more common.
You can let your students practice with different work scenarios they may face as they navigate the vocational world. Give them writing tips like appropriate phrasing and subject when sending emails to an employer, co-worker, or anyone else.
Try this Emailing Practice Task Card Bundle!
#7: Teach Students How to Create a Resume and Cover Letter
Resumes and cover letters are key documents when applying for a job. A resume lists the skills and experiences, while a cover letter explains why an applicant is a good fit for the job.
To teach this, start with simple examples and templates. Break down each part of the resume and cover letter, and help students practice writing their own.
It’s also important to give them feedback and let them revise and improve their work!
#8: Do a Mock Interview
Teaching interview skills to transition students is also crucial because interviews are a key part of getting a job.
You can help students feel confident and ready by practicing common interview questions with them. Start by explaining what to expect in an interview and why it’s important.
In this full Job Interview Lesson resource material, there are two videos that you can show the students for comparison, so they have an idea about the difference between a good interview and a bad interview!
Additionally, you can role-play interview scenarios, giving students a chance to practice their answers. Offer positive feedback and tips on how to improve, like making eye contact and speaking clearly.
This practice helps students feel more comfortable and prepared for real job interviews.
#9: Teach Your Students How to Dress to Impress
Acing an interview is not just about the skills, even the little things like appropriate clothing matter!
Resources like Job Interview Outfits and What to Wear: Job Interviews provide tips on professional attire, helping students understand what is suitable for different job settings.
Remember, first impressions matter, and dressing appropriately for an interview is part of that!
#10: Equip Your Students with On-the-Job Skills
Last on our list is to make sure you’ve equipped your students with vocational skills to help them keep their jobs once they get hired!
Examples of on-the-job skills are problem-solving skills, time management, and communication skills.
You can teach these skills by incorporating them into your lessons throughout their high school years. Use real-life examples and practice activities to help the students learn and apply these skills better.
By following these tips and using my recommended resources, you can effectively prepare your students for their job applications!
